The Magna Carta oak trees

To mark the 800th anniversary of the issuing of Magna Carta, cuttings (scions) were collected from the King John Oak in Devon. Unsuccessful attempts were made to graft them onto new root stock in 2016.

Instead, acorns were collected from the Parliament Oak in Sherwood Forest and 20 were grown in a nursery plot at Ely, Cambridgeshire. It is believed that King John was informed of a revolt by the Welsh while hunting in the forest and hastily summoned a parliament to meet under this tree.

In December 2019, ten successfully grown saplings were delivered for planting at Barons’ villages in England, and one to Lanvallay in Brittany, Walkern’s twin town.

In July 2024, eight have established themselves and one remains to be planted. Only the oak delivered to Little Dunmow in Essex has died and to replace it another is being grown from an acorn collected at Runnymede.

Alnwick, Northumberland (55.41822, -1.706253) Baron: Eustace de Vesci. This oak is cared for by Northumberland Estates on land owned by the Duke of Northumberland. It is located to the east of Lion Bridge on The Peth (B6341) and close to the River Aln. Alnwick Castle can be seen in the background.

Belvoir, Leicestershire (52.87899, -0.767543) Baron: William d’Aubigny. This oak is growing on land owned by the Duke of Rutland, adjacent to the Belvoir Cricket Club, Knipton.

Lanvallay, Brittany (48.452963, -2.029831) Baron: William (I) de Lanvalei. The first William de Lanvalei arrived in England during the reign of Henry II. He married Gunnor de Saint Clair and his grandson William (III) de Lanvalei (see below) inherited the barony of Walkern. The oak is growing in public gardens under the management of the Mairie de Lanvallay.

Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire Baron: William Marshal (the son). This oak is growing in the Jubilee Park, cared for by Long Crendon Parish Council.

Stansted Mountfichet, Essex (51.903474, 0.198335) Baron: Richard de Montfichet. This oak was planted in the school grounds of the Magna Carta Primary Academy, part of BMAT Education, a multi-academy trust based in Harlow, Essex.

Topcliffe, North Yorkshire (54.179875, -1.389431) Baron: Richard de Percy. This oak was planted by Topcliffe Parish Council at The Sheepwash on the River Swale, close to the village.

Walkern, Hertfordshire (51.922807, -0.120419) Baron: William (III) de Lanvalei. The Walkern History Society planted this oak at Walkern’s parish church, St Mary the Virgin, in Church End.

Warkworth, Northumberland (55.344349, -1.613167) Baron: John FitzRobert. This oak is growing on the Duke of Northumberland’s land adjacent to Warkworth Castle, which is managed by English Heritage.

West Greenwich, London Baron: Geoffrey de Say. Currently this oak is in the safe hands of the head gardener of the Royal Parks in Greenwich, waiting to be planted in Greenwich Park.

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